Toronto police Const. Babak Andalib-Goortani’s trial for a second alleged assault during the G20 protests will go ahead as planned in February, unless evidence can be provided that he is “not emotionally ready” to stand trial, a judge ruled Friday.

Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly rejected arguments by Andalib-Goortani’s lawyer Harry Black that the publicity surrounding his previous conviction — “he appeared next to stories about Nelson Mandela’s death” — would make it impossible to find neutral jurors for the unrelated two-week trial.

However, she allowed that additional medical evidence would be considered ahead of the trial, or at its start on Feb. 10.

Andalib-Goortani was suspended without pay from the Toronto police following his sentencing and is currently unemployed, Black told the court.

One Feb. 1, 2011, he was charged with assault with a weapon for a second incident during the G20 protests at Queen’s Park in June 2010.

A photo published by the Toronto Star in December 2010 shows Andalib-Goortani with his baton raised as Wyndham Bettencourt-McCarthy, a Torontoist blogger who was covering the demonstration, turns away from him.

Andalib-Goortani’s jail sentence is on hold pending an appeal of his conviction. He was granted bail almost immediately after being sentenced. Kelly said that it is unlikely a date for the appeal hearing would be set before September.